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Generate your own opportunity

The Lowell Sun

Updated:
12/21/2012 12:43:15 PM EST

By Ed Adamowicz

I wanted to catch up on a couple of emails from readers. They center on issues that relate to planning the year ahead. So while I opine on appropriate year-end coaching thoughts with 2012 drawing to a close and provide insight on how to best approach one's career-life for 2013, I thought I'd take the opportunity to wish everyone a warm and happy holiday season.

The first letter comes from a woman in a bit of a quandary about which direction her career should take:

"Hello Coach:

"I realize after reading your columns that you advocate that people choose a position that first and foremost offers a great deal of satisfaction and, secondly, provides an income which allows someone to live in the fashion for which they are accustomed. I'm afraid in my case this poses a challenge.

"I have been offered a job selling a very well-recognized brand of insurance with what seems to be a reputable organization. And as a matter of fact they are offering me a $2,000 incentive to go through the process of becoming licensed and then start just after the first of the year. I'm told this is very unusual in that business, and therefore I'm flattered.

"The fact remains that my intent was to transition out of the traditional work-a-day world and carve out a career in the home-design field. I understand since I have little experience I probably need to find an employer that would offer a novice a sound training program and be a willing mentor.

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"It so happens, by the way, I have the financial wherewithal to decline the insurance company's offer and pursue in your words a "rewarding and purposeful" kind of career. Your thoughts will be welcome and much appreciated. Thanks E. V-C."

With someone that has financial concerns, I would be recommending that one can pursue that meaningful career after landing a secure position somewhere in Corporate America and do so in a more of a part-time capacity.

With a solid game plan and as little as three to five hours per week, one can maximize their pursuit of that rewarding and purposeful career-life scenario. It does help if you have the guidance of a professional capable of monitoring the activity so as to ensure peak performance.

In this case, I am doing what coaches do by empowering you to make that decision. The only way the "job" can impede your progress is if it is the all-encompassing 7-by-24-by-365 type of commitment that most employers insist upon in this marketplace, and therefore prohibits the ability to focus elsewhere.

A well thought out marketing campaign, along with an assertive and persistent demeanor, will assist in finding that fulfilling career/life.

Along the same lines, another follower of this column writes:

"Coach:

"I am a fairly well-educated woman that due to a challenging personal situation at home had chosen to leave the information-technology field and have been selling real estate for the last eight years. The market originally was up at the time and I had been able to carve out a very healthy six-figure income for myself.

"Now with the market down, I thought it was a good time to switch back to the IT field and with my acquired talent for sales along with a technology track record the logical move seemed to be to target software sales.

"To further add fuel to the fire, and as someone in mid-career, I have a desire to try something new that would afford me the opportunity of earning a solid living and provide a sense of 'making a difference.' I would like to investigate becoming a certified financial planner. This would also enable for me to build in some flexibility to my schedule at home.

"Any insight that you could provide would be greatly appreciated. Thank You. J. C."

As a side note, while I am surprised how similar these two questions are, I suspect they lend credence to the theory that a great percentage of mid-career professionals are enduring like conundrums.

It has been well documented that I encourage the pursuit of a rewarding and fulfilling career-life. In both cases and assuming finances are not an issue, it is career-critical that you follow your dream. I am not an expert in financial services, but I believe there to be the need for certification, although I'm not familiar with the length of time required to secure that credential.

In terms of the necessities related to becoming an entrepreneur, I suggest the development of a sound business plan and possibly engaging a business coaching professional to assist with that. You are correct that the flexibility afforded you by running your own business will undoubtedly ease your angst over challenging home circumstances. However, there is a lot more to consider when venturing into the world of entrepreneurship. So research, plan, consult a qualified and credentialed professional and "go for it."

To illustrate my penchant for pursuing one's passion, I will relate an example. While taking some physical therapy for a tender Achilles tendon, I was particularly impressed by the enthusiasm shown by the P.T. professionals caring for the injured there. One couldn't help but notice the passion and attention to detail displayed by these men and women. It was quite inspiring!

I'd be remiss as a professional coach if I didn't encourage all to take this time and find a quiet, serene place to focus on 2013 and set goals that align with your signature values, passion and conditioned beliefs.

Ed Adamowicz, CPCC, is founder and chairman of Encore Career Consultants (www.encore-careers.com), a Boxboro-based provider of career coaching, resume writing, interview training and corporate consulting. Readers are invited to submit questions via email to eadamowicz@encore-careers.com

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